Weir, the wise old man to help Blades
Respected figure: Centre-half David Weir is held in high esteem
HAVING spent the past months scouring the transfer market for a captivating ‘number 10’, Danny Wilson has confirmed that recruiting more prosaic talents are his priority during the emergency loan window.
It is unclear whether room exists on a budget still in need of re-structuring for any more additions, but the Sheffield United manager has already started identifying players whose strength is stopping rather than scoring goals should permission be granted to further improve his squad.
Wilson’s admission that United’s cover for Neill Collins and Harry Maguire consists of “people capable of playing centre-half rather than actual centre-halves,” explains why he was so quick to grant David Weir’s wish and let the former Glasgow Rangers captain train at Shirecliffe.
With Will Hoskins’ arrival increasing competition for places and tactical flexibility in attack, Wilson is now casting his eye across a defence which, in numerical terms, could be United’s weak link.
The durability Maguire and Collins have demonstrated this season has spared Wilson the unenviable prospect of re-organising the heart of United’s rearguard.
However, with the battle for League One promotion places so delicately poised, the experience Weir has amassed during spells with Hearts, Everton and the reigning SPL champions would make him the perfect ‘go to’ man.
Even if it proves impossible to offer the 41-year-old a short-term contract, the knowledge he can impart about coping with pressurised situations could prove invaluable as fourth-placed United look to establish themselves towards the top of the table.
Although fears have been expressed that United’s roster lacks the depth required to cope with a backlog of fixtures, the decision to postpone last weekend’s visit to Colchester also had positive consequences.
Hoskins, whose presence is designed to spread a veneer of unpredictability across United’s play in the final third, now has another three days to bed in before making his debut when Wycombe travel to South Yorkshire this weekend.
Hoskins has been handed the number seven jersey following his move from Brighton, and the former Rotherham attacker is adept at exploiting the space between defence and midfield. An in-depth appreciation of his teammates’ strengths is crucial to performing in that role.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Sheffield school massage sessions under fire
- SHEFFIELD UNITED: Blades told to turn on style in bid to regain second place: Urges Danny Wilson
- A tough-talking TV show has put the spotlight on a Sheffield restaurant. Julia Armstrong went to see what has changed...
- DONCASTER DONS: Winger Stu Sanderson will feel ‘at home’ in Cumbria
- Biobank study will add to knowledge
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 13 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
steelcityblue the runt of the litter
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 11:02 PMwish i were a wise old man but im just a thick tramp. wee wee wee
Silly Blunts
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 10:39 PMmonths scouring the transfer market and he comes up with a old man hahahahahahahaha hope he brought his zimmer frame. comedy at its best. next you be tellin me the scumbag blunts have closed the kop for 2 fa cup games massive i tell thee massive hahahahahahahaha
TheBohemian
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 05:26 PMP4: Blackpool is indeed famous for many things: brown sea, streets of vomit, a rusty old tower, doss-houses posing as B&Bs and is of course the STD capital of the world. One thing it is not in the least bit famous for is producing good football teams. On the very rare occasions you do find a decent player you ruin him, as evidenced by your befuddled manager's need to send Matt Phillips out on loan to the Blades to "regain his confidence." Just a few weeks with a real footballing team and we send the guy back to you as a devastating goal machine, saving the manager's ass and giving you a small chance of making the play-offs. Within 2 years both Sheffield teams will have overtaken you and you will be back plumbing the depths of the football league. Enjoy it while it lasts. Oh and by the way - you posted on the wrong page, you're playing Wednesday.
CHAP LAD
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 04:44 PMLANZEROTE I have to assume you know something cos I never mentioned anyones name.For the purposes of the court that was down to you Dont know how you think you`d no more about it than me while you tax dodge and comment from afar. All I can say is what I KNOW happened .A certain Sheffield footballer was involved in fracas with one of your own over some banter that he didnt like and finished up breaking the lads nose . He had his collar felt but I dont know if he was or was not charged . Believe what you want ,must be fun living in exile and still believing Wendy are MASSIVE
lanzarote owl
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 03:45 PMI´m surprised Frank Warren hasn´t been on the phone to Hillsborough, the amount of times Madine has knocked people out on any given Saturday night. According to the little pork chops!
Eileen mac
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 03:11 PMWasn't it mighty mouth Keith Edwards on RADIO SHEFFIELD who said this ?. "If Sodje has a good game for Bury fc today (14TH JANUARY 2012) i want some of the tablets he's taking?. Well Keith it looks like your lot have got an even older guy in your squad for the rest of the campaign not that i'm being ageist.I will of course be interested to see what Motor mouth has to say about it.
Dingle Dickie
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 02:14 PM#5 - Yes, I'd heard The Condom Machine was up to his old tricks. In Cumbria, when a dog chases sheep all the time, they tie it to a full-sized ram, with only a metre of slack rope in between them, and let them out into a field for an hour. The ram continuously butts the dog, and the dog is so chastened by the experience that it never goes near another sheep again. In a similar manner, if only Chris Morgan could be fit for the derby game, Wendy would only need to send Madine out on the pitch for an hour to cure the Condom Machine of his tendencies for ever. Not sure how we'd sort Ched out though. Perhaps an hour with Joan Collins.....?
silverblade
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 12:46 PMAre the cast from last of the summer wine available:-).....
CHAP LAD
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 12:07 PMWould have thought you Wendys would have more to worry about with a certain gypo "goal machine" getting his collar felt last Saturday night for of all things ... breaking a Wendys nose in a bar . You cant polish a turd but you can sign quality irrispective of its age
upthepool53
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 11:12 AMHello losers its back to the good old days for your you lot. It will be the first time in many a year that a good football side Blackpool visits town.. Suggest you stay indoors and getyour knitting out and watch the mighty Pool on TV tonight.
DexterMorgan
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 11:10 AMWe are OAPS, I said we are OAPS. Do you think we might be able to tempt Bobby Hatton out of retirement?
SteelCityBlue
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 10:15 AMLance should be looking outside making sure nothing amis is happening... not reading posts on here... Good old Blunts.. 41.... he is 41 and going to add something ..yerrrr
PaulSheffield
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 08:20 AMLance what do you think to the story ?
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.